5 Main Expenses Associated with Medical Spas

Originally posted on Cindtoro

This article highlights the variability in training and supervision among individuals performing cosmetic procedures at medical spas (MedSpas), a concern for patient safety. Dr. Sara Hogan, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology, expressed the need for better oversight, emphasizing that many patients are unaware of the disparities in the qualifications of those administering treatments. With the MedSpa industry generating $17 billion last year, there are now as many MedSpas in the U.S. as there are practicing dermatologists. However, many MedSpas are owned by non-physicians or professionals outside core specialties like dermatology and plastic surgery, raising concerns about safety and training.

A study led by Hogan and her colleagues in Chicago found that 66.9% of cosmetic procedures in MedSpas were performed by aestheticians, while only 16.5% of facilities had a supervising physician on-site. Many patients were not informed when a medical director was off-site, and only 40% of MedSpas reviewed medical histories prior to procedures. These gaps in oversight contribute to a higher risk of complications, with issues such as counterfeit Botox injections prompting the CDC to issue warnings.

The article calls for increased regulation, noting that no federal statutes oversee MedSpas. State licensing agencies are often under-resourced to enforce strict regulations, which has led to the formation of the Medical Spa Safety Coalition. This group aims to introduce the Medical Spa Safety Act, advocating for stricter definitions of medical directors and requiring an on-site physician trained in all procedures to enhance patient safety.